Sunday, June 22, 2008

reading and raspberry riots, and other news

Yes, that's Kaleigh! She's reading her first chapter book to herself. She's almost done, after working on it for a couple of days. She signed up for the library's reading program, and we're almost finished (over 18 hours in six days, and counting...). We've been reading good books by Robert Burch (one of my new favorite authors), and Clyde Robert Bulla. When you have good books to read, and it's hot and mosquitoey outside, it makes for a lot of reading time! Kaleigh picked up the Boxcar Children, one of her favorite books, and found that it wasn't so hard to read those intimidating chapter books after all. And we parents are enjoying much appreciated quiet and down time.

The raspberry patch is starting to yield. We are about 10 inches of rain above "normal", and everything is lush and large this year. Kind of makes up for last year, I suppose. Kaleigh has enjoyed raspberries in her yogurt, and her parents are looking forward to raspberry wine!

Yesterday, Don and Kaleigh went to the Juneteenth celebration (for more info on this holiday, see http://www.juneteenth.com/). It was within biking distance! They had fun, and Kaleigh bought a bracelet with her own money. It's her good luck bracelet, and she's never taking it off, not ever, until the next time she gets a new bracelet.

Kaleigh moved her bed into her room a week ago. She has enjoyed waking up with Cozy the kitty snuggling at her feet. She also enjoys waking up and being able to play without worrying about waking up her parents. Ah, freedom! Her parents are enjoying this also, especially the part about sometimes sleeping later than 7 a.m.

Through the library's summer reading program activities, Kaleigh attended both a cheer clinic and a pom pom clinic. She had fun learning about these fun sports, and took home a white t-shirt (mud girl says, "I've never had a white t-shirt before!) and a set of silver poms. She also had fun playing Little Sally Walker.

the recital!



Kaleigh was very excited to have the opportunity to take ballet and tap lessons this year. She danced with 10 other girls. They did their ballet recital to the song Dance Your Dreams. They did their tap recital to the song I Love a Rainy Night. They had fun, did well, and Kaleigh got to stay up extra late!